Can 7.0 focus on a storyline without the philosophizing

[DiaDeem]

The themes in themselves are fine, but it is the constant repetition and unbelievable depiction of humans wrestling with that philosophy that is the problem. Again, doing it once or twice is fine, like in a single-player RPG. However, doing it again and again with no grace is the problem

Good, then say so in your OG post, instead of framing like you had a problem with the themes that define the series. You're almost presenting it as if the same people wrote/direct XIV and XVI's plots and they didn't. The only things XIV and XVI share in key positions are Producer and Main Composer.

Can 7.0 focus on a storyline without the philosophizing

Is a terrible way to frame the thread if your issue is with two or three writers that you didn't enjoy in XIV/XVI rather than with the themes themselves, and you did a rather poor job at explaining yourself in the main body of your post.

7.0 may be written by someone else entirely, and unless it's a name we've seen in XIV or XVI, your argument falls flat. If it's a new person writing, let them have their own go at the themes. If it's a name you don't like, then by all means go at it. If you truly believe in it, you can frame your argument way better.

As for the DLC thread, you didn't answer to me, so if you want me to take you seriously, then make the answer yourself like you did here.

[Nitelancer]

I wouldn't mind if 7.0 takes a few cues from Stranger of Paradise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-MCGxZcsQ

[AwesomeJr44]

Can 7.0 focus on a storyline without the philosophizing

This is a game about space birds intended for children. It needs to have a moral of the story to teach kids proper lessons about life. Go play video games for adults if you want serious and well-written storytelling.



(should I put the /s here?)

[DiaDeem]

I wouldn't mind if 7.0 takes a few cues from Stranger of Paradise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-MCGxZcsQ

[OM3GA-Z3RO]

I wouldn't mind if 7.0 takes a few cues from Stranger of Paradise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-MCGxZcsQ

Head empty, must kill Chaos!

[Kazhar]

One thing I've always hated about literature discussion is the "experts" insist there is only one correct interpretation for a piece of work even when the author states things are left open for the reader to interpret as they wish.

After more than a year discussing that story with various people, I'm glad someone finally said it.
Nothing is more annoying than those who constantly talk about "media literacy" as a shortcut for disagreeing with the hivemind, ironically ignoring that the entire concept of being media literate is the skill of analyzing a story through an open-minded and critical (not necessarily negative) lens. Which sometimes involves understanding but disagreeing with the author's intent.
The point of reviewing media isn't to reach a nebulous consensus or an objective truth, but to be able to express our emotional connection to it (or the lack of it).
Most of the regulars who are critical of Endwalker have a very good understanding of what the story was trying to do. It's not exactly subtle about it. They just happen to either dislike the message or the way it was told. (in my case it's both)

And yes, about your second point, Yoshi-P literally opened the QA session of the infamous live letter 68 by saying that the story was meant to be open to interpretation. So any attempt at dismissing opinions because they don't reach an "acceptable consensus" is even more laughable in this case.

[Soge01]

[Heroman3003]

A 'good story' without 'philosophizing'.

Aka just meaningless action for sake of action.

Just admit you don't want actual story in your RPG and move onto a different game, rather than demanding this one be brought down to your level.

[Lieri]

So is this the "go play other games" I keep hearing? I mean don't get me wrong I did pick up WoW on sale an re-subbed to it but you can still want better from a product especially one prided on the story as highly as 14 is and it seems clear to me that Endwalker does have a ton of faults on the rather shallow or incorrectly shown messaging as evidenced by the several times this comes up on the forums. Again I can see why people liked Endwalker's story but I also can look and see the arguments of "You know when you think of it this is kinda messed up ain't it?".

Funny enough one thing without spoilers I liked about 16 was the ending section and Clive embodying a lot of what I felt Endwalker needed for me to care.

It's a joke. I play both games and have been subbed to wow since wotlk. Although in the past 2-3 years I only log in to hang out with old friends.

[Kazhar]

A 'good story' without 'philosophizing'.

Aka just meaningless action for sake of action.

Just admit you don't want actual story in your RPG and move onto a different game, rather than demanding this one be brought down to your level.

This is nonsense. Have you heard of "show, don't tell"?
There are many ways to tell a story without having to preach its themes.
One of my favorite game I've played, Outer Wilds, tells his story mostly through conversations from the past. At no point it really stops to tell you what's it all about yet the message is very clear. The DLC goes further by enriching the world and its story without a single line of dialogue.

Excellent stories can be told with very little words, and the opposite is also true.
I'd even say good work doesn't need any character looking at the camera to tell you how deep it is. It speaks by itself.